Hybrid Worship

September 25, 2022

Welcome to Worship! Know this, friends: No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here.

We gather in gratitude for one another. 

Spiritual Formation 9:00 am

Learning and Growing Is For Everyone

Even YOU

9 o'clock Spiritual Formation is happening! Adults are diving into diverse approaches to spirituality. Children are feeling empowered by empathy with a unit called "What's Your Superpower?"

For more information on spiritual formation for children and adults or for assistance participating via Zoom, please email Karen. 

GATHERING

Welcome and Announcements

Joining Our Voices ~ "Come and Find the Quiet Center"

Come and find the quiet center

in the crowded life we lead,

Find the room for hope to enter,

find the frame where we are freed;

Clear the chaos and the clutter,

clear our eyes, that we can see 

All the things that really matter,

be at peace, and simply be.

Silence is a friend who claims us,

cools the heat and slows the pace, 

God it is who speaks and names us,

knows our being, touches base, 

Making space within our thinking,

lifting shades to show the sun, 

Raising courage when we’re shrinking,

finding scope for faith begun.

In the Spirit let us travel,

open to each other’s pain,

Let our loves and fears unravel,

celebrate the space we gain: 

There’s a place for deepest dreaming,

there’s a time for heart to care,

In the Spirit’s lively scheming

there is always room to spare!

Call to Worship

One: Come to this place and time of promise.

Many: We are becoming the house of hope, the field of sunflowers, the vineyard of great caring.

One: We come with a shared commitment to abundance possible for all people.

Many: We are not content to merely believe in a list of statements.

One: When we claim to be a people of faith, this is what we mean: 

Many: We have a vision for the future where there is enough for all, where our species lives in ways that promote the health and wholeness of the planet.

One: this vision is something to celebrate! Let us sing!

Singing Our Faith ~ "Those Who Wait on the Lord"

Those who wait on the Lord

Shall renew their strength.

They shall mount up on wings as eagles.

They shall run and not be weary.

They shall walk and not faint.

Help us Lord, help us Lord, in thy way.

Those who love the mystery...

Those who live the risen life...

Those who serve the suff’ring world...

Those who die on the march...

Those who wait on the Lord...

SHARING

Celebrations

At this time, we share moments from our lives: birthdays, anniversaries, works of peace and justice. We celebrate even sorrows and grief as part of a comprehensive view of life.

Celebration Song 

We are one, we are all.

We are big and we are small.

We are one, we are all, 

We are short and we are tall.

We share joy, we share sadness

We share voices all in glee.

Come sing a celebration song with me.

Sing a celebration song; sing a celebration song.

No matter who you are, come sing along.

Sing a celebration song; sing a celebration song.

Sing a celebration song with me.

Invitation to Give

We are invited to offer resources, time, abilities, compassion, in a tangible expression of our shared vision for the future. Our vision encompasses this community of faith, the Southwest Conference, the United Church of Christ, and indeed all who share our hopes and our values. Be generous, my friends, with your trust in the future.

Offering and Offertory

LEARNING

Word About Life - Romans 8

I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now.

SCATTERING

Words for Mission

One: We prepare to leave this sacred time and place to return to our regular lives, knowing that they too are sacred!

All: We pause in gratitude for the sacredness of all parts of life! We move in gratitude, with grace for all, in a path of peace and compassion.

One: These are the times!

All: We are the people.

One: All of Creation is blessed.

All: May we love all and serve all.

One: May God be with you.

All: And also with you.

One: Amen.

All: Amen.

Sending Forth Song ~ "Trees of the Field"

You shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace; 

The mountains and the hills will break forth before you.

There’ll be shouts of joy, and all the trees of the field

 will clap, will clap their hands.

And all the trees of the field will clap their hands, (clap, clap)

The trees of the field will clap their hands, (clap, clap)

The trees of the field will clap their hands (clap, clap)

While you go out with joy. (Repeat faster)